B Smith's Second Sticks- Denise Gutches/FilmLA

B Smith's Second Sticks- Denise Gutches/FilmLA

As members of a much maligned genre as non-scripted, it's imperative that we arm ourselves with as much information as possible so as to understand the moment we are in now. B Smith's Second Sticks recently sat down with Denise Gutches, the CEO/COO/CFO of FilmLA, and we covered a lot of ground. We talked about FilmLA's role in the current landscape of production in Los Angeles and California, and the $750 million incentive package for productions in California, noting that non-scripted was for the most part left outside the picture. We also chatted about the gubernatorial and city mayoral races (on June 2; get out and vote or mail your ballot in!), and how one of the more useful proposals was coming from an unlikely source. We addressed the Baywatch fiasco, and how the bureaucratic process absolutely needs to be streamlined to help make Los Angeles a more viable place to shoot going forward. All that and much more! Much thanks to Denise for taking time out of her extremely busy schedule to speak with us. I hope you listen and learn something (I know I did). Show notes: Correction: I referred to Denise in the intro as a "CCO" when I should have said "COO." Promo codes: https://www.thecuminclub.com/discount/STICKS https://prepstartsnow.com/discount/STICKS

B Smith's Second Sticks- Jesse Krim

In the intro for today's podcast, I refer to Jesse Krim as a "YouTube Creative Director", which in retrospect I think might not be accurate. I think she's more a YouTube "architect", in that she plans, designs, and oversees the various platforms she creates for her clients. With knowledge that belies her still relatively young age, she is sharing her insights (along with other creators) through The Industry Shift, a seminar that puts wanna-learn people in contact with those in the YouTube creator economy who are already successful in navigating that media space. On B Smith's Second Sticks, we get into all that, including a lengthy conversation about her past experience in non-scripted television with the show Project Runway, and how that gave her valuable experience, but also the realization that she wanted to forge a different path for herself. Inevitably, she found an environment rife with potential for people who are smart, savvy, and not afraid to work. We have a great conversation, one that many of us "traditionalists" should give a listen to. Click the link below for details and tickets for "The Industry Shift" seminar this Saturday, May 30th, 10 am - 6pm in Los Angeles. Jesse is committed to sharing the word with folks in our audience. You can DM her at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-krim/ for possible discount information. For anyone curious about content creation outside the traditional means, this seminar is a must-see. The Industry Shift https://luma.com/84k17u6q Promo codes for this episode's ads: https://www.thecuminclub.com/discount/STICKS https://prepstartsnow.com/discount/STICKS

B Smith's Second Sticks- Corky Cronin

It's been discussed on this very podcast that Assistant Directors are the engine that powers productions. But we've only had a former-AD-turned-Director on the pod... until now! B Smith's Second Sticks welcomes Corky Cronin, as we explore his beginnings from wanna-be-actor to stage manager at House of Blues to literally starting over in TV and movie production, working his way up the ranks to 1st AD on many notable projects both non-scripted and otherwise. Corky is a passionate individual whose philosophy is "leave no man (or woman) behind." While he is currently working, all his jobs are not only out of town, but out of the country, and we both agree that this current manifestation of runaway production needs to change. Promo codes: https://prepstartsnow.com/discount/STICKS https://profbees.com/discount/STICKS

B Smith's Second Sticks- Carrie Dufresne

Georgia was the new production frontier in the late teens and early 20's; the state tax incentives and growing infrastructure made it too attractive for production companies to pass up. Then, strikes and growing costs rendered Georgia into just another expensive American location, and networks started taking their shows out of the state and country. Carrie Dufresne, (former) camera operator talks with B Smith's Second Stick's about the sudden changes that forced her into another career option. We wonder what's in store for the future workers as we sort through Carrie's career arch before and after the gold rush. Give a read to Savannah Sicurella's excellent article about the production slowdown in Georgia featuring an interview with Carrie (gift link in show notes); although written in late 2024, it thoroughly outlines the state's journey from feast to famine, which continues to this day. https://www.ajc.com/news/business/how-the-slowdown-in-tv-and-film-production-hurts-georgia-workers/RLRBWUDNTNFRDFHTK5Y2CLDLQI/?gift_article_code=NlkxX3M3RlFuTks5QS1ndXF3TVdHRjN6LUM1cmh0b0dxSEoxbXd5RWNrZzoxNzgxMjI4OTY3OmQyZTE1ODA5MzkxY2MyMWQ&utm_campaign=articlegifting [https://www.ajc.com/news/business/how-the-slowdown-in-tv-and-film-production-hurts-georgia-workers/RLRBWUDNTNFRDFHTK5Y2CLDLQI/?gift_article_code=NlkxX3M3RlFuTks5QS1ndXF3TVdHRjN6LUM1cmh0b0dxSEoxbXd5RWNrZzoxNzgxMjI4OTY3OmQyZTE1ODA5MzkxY2MyMWQ&utm_campaign=articlegifting] ???? LiQure - Gummies that help prevent hangovers ???? Get 20% OFF | Promo Code: STICKS https://promocode.to/liqure/sticks-w2m ???? The Cumin Club - 5-Minute Indian Meals ???? Get 30% OFF | Promo Code: STICKS https://promocode.to/the-cumin-club/sticks-mp0

B Smith's Second Sticks- Scottie DeSantis

Everyone works hard on a non-scripted TV show, but probably no group of people work harder than the Art department. Constantly under the gun, dealing with near-impossible asks and pressing deadlines, the Art department coalesces to always deliver. B Smith's Second Sticks talks with prop master Scottie DeSantis (Scottie D to those in the know) about working together on classic reality cooking shows Hells Kitchen and Master Chef, and what it's like to be the right-hand prop-man to the legendary Gordon Ramsey. We talk about the current shifting seas of production in Los Angeles, and get wistful as Scottie D talks about getting the call to empty out the prop room at the Master Chef stage for the last time. Maybe a little bitter-sweet but there's hope, there's always hope! Give it a listen! Sponsors: LiQure - Gummies that help prevent hangovers: use this link for 20% off! https://liqure.com/discount/STICKS The Cumin Club - 5 minute Indian meals: use this link for 30% off! https://www.thecuminclub.com/discount/STICKS